Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei
during a Press briefing on July 3, 2014. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix
Koskei has said Kenya may not reap from the free trade agreements in
East Africa because of high prices charged by farmers.
According
to him, farm produce from other countries such as Rwanda, Uganda,
Tanzania and Burundi trades easily compared to that of Kenya.
The
CS said the “borderless” agreement has seen influx of products like
flour, eggs and others from these countries but Kenya 'remains stuck'
with its own produce.
CONSUMER ECONOMY
Eggs imported from Uganda sell at Sh8 in the Kenyan market as opposed Sh15 local retail price.
Maize flour from Tanzania costs Sh20 cheaper than that of Kenya which is sold at Sh115 per 2kg-pack.
“Kenya
is a larger recipient of produce from other countries because their
pricing regime is not as favourable. This is serious because it will
turn our country into a consumer economy,” said Mr Koskei in an
interview with the Nation in Kisumu. (BITANGE NDEMO: Our consumerism and its effects on the economy)
SCIENTIFIC METHODS
He
noted that increased prices in Kenya are linked to the high cost of
production, associated with expensive farm inputs including fertilisers,
seeds, farm equipment and fuel.
We are currently
encouraging farmers to use scientific methods which include irrigation,
use of green houses and artificial insemination to increase production,
he added.
Mr Koskei said poor post-harvest management
which result to losses will also be addressed alongside review on high
taxation issues, especially on animal feeds.
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